Colaco smiles in Abranches' moment of glory

About nine years ago, when Armando Colaco picked up a 19-year-old village boy named Joaquim Abrnaches under his wings after Cristiano Junior's on-field death, the then Dempo coach had received a lot of flak.
Today, Colaco, who is no more with Dempo -- the first Indian club to make the AFC Cup semis -- deserves a lot of bouquets.
At 27, Abranches, who hails from a village called Verna on the way to Margao in Goa, will soon earn the distinction of being the only Indian player to have played in two AFC Cup semifinals.
Colaco's find, Abranches, now a regular India midfielder, was part of the East Bengal's XI that today defeated Semen Padang 2-1 on aggregate (home and away legs) to enter the semis and become the second Indian club to achieve the feat.

And Abranches, to his credit, to go with his presence in the East Bengal line-up, was also part of the Dempo side played in the semifinal of the same tournament some five summers ago.
East Bengal goalkeeper Abhijit Mondal, who was not part of the XI today as Gurpreet Singh stood under the bar (in both the legs), was also part of Dempo's campaign in 2008.

No wonder, Colaco felt ecstatic and followed every minutes of East Bengal's match.
"He (Abranches) is a true fighter who never gives up. I'm looking forward for him to do well in the semis," Colaco told PTI.

Abranches, who operates as a striker and also as a wide medio on both flanks, joined East Bengal on a two-year deal.
Considered as one of the most consistent Indian attackers in recent seasons, Abranches learnt the nuances of the game alongside experienced pros like Edeh Chid, Climax Lawrence and Mahesh Gawli.
After a fruitful season in the local league, Abranches got his first break in 2009-10 after captain Sunil Chhetri went to play for Kansas City Wizards in the US.
The Verna lad lived up to the coach's expectation as he returned with seven goals in Dempo's fourth I-League win and soon earned a U-23 call up, before joining the senior camp.